Why does freedom require that we become our better selves?

Freedom requires us to become our better selves because freedom is social by nature. Freedom is the sum of liberty and virtue – the combination of our individual agency and our choices to act with consideration for our fellow human beings.

Selfishness (or not being our better selves) is not freedom because selfishness lacks the requirement to consider the needs and wants of others, a requirement of freedom because we live in community with our family and neighbors. This can be easily seen as we drive our cars: We have freedom because of our shared experiences on the road that require us to follow rules and often defer to others, placing their interests ahead of our selfish desires.

Dig Deeper:

Article: Freedom and sex ed

Podcast: Is It Utopian To Expect Good Behavior?

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